The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-09-29
JIM POULDER'S MISTAKE.

"
windows of the railway car were open.
There was breeze stirring; and though
cloud OF dust was blown in it was also
blown out, with the exception of tired
portion which stopped to rest on the
clothes Of the passengers or burrowed for
Its own safety in their ears and nostrils.
There were only two vacant seats in the
car, and at Pankeap station two persons
came in to fill them. One of these was an
old man-on a second look he was proba-
Oly not over 50-with iron gray hair,
partly covered by slouched hat, and
clad IN new suit Of gray stuff that
seemed to have been made for some one
else. With him was young and very
pretty girl, whose dress was of ordinary
stuff, but well fitting, and who was we'll
gloved an we'll shod.
The observer would have sat down the
two for we'll to do farmer and his
daughter who were travelling for business
or pleasure. The man looked around.
The two vacant seats were on opposite
sides Of the car. In one of them sat a
young, well dressed and apparently self
satisfied gentleman, and the space by his
side was occupied by handbag of croco-
dlle leather and spring overcoat. In
the other was another young man not
quite so extr"vagantly dressed, though
neatly clad, and not 30 handsome as the
first, though he had an open and intelli-
gent countenance. The farmer looked
around, and, motioning his daughter to
the vacant seat, said: "There's a place
for you, Lucy" Then, turning to the
young man with the sachel, he asked ::
Seat engaged 20
The young man looked up, curled his
lip superciliously, and said Man to fill
it'll be here presently, dare say"
"Ah !" said the farmer, coolly remov-
ing the gripsack and overcoat and plac-
ing them on the young mans lap; "then
I'll occupy it until he comes" And he
seated himself accordingly, while the
young man glared at him.
The one on the other side looked
amused, and then, rising, said: "You
had better exchange seats with me, sir,
and then the young lady and yourself
will be together"
"Thank you," was the farmers reply,
and the exchange was quietly effected
The two young men were evidently &C
quainted, for the courteous one said to the
other in low voice: Jim Poulder, you
made a mistake there"
never make mistakes, Frank Boiling"
replied the other. "I dare say You'll
make your fortune some of these days by
being polite to The granger population.
but my fortune is already made''
The first speaker said nothing more,
but drawing newspaper from his pocket,
opened it and ran his eye over its col
umns.
Poulder yawned little, and at last
said: "This is too dull for yours faith
fully, James Poulder III go into the
smoking car and take Whit. Have a
snfter?" he inquired, producing pocket
flask.
"No, thank you," replied Boiling.
"That stuff is rather too fiery for me-"
"Here goes alone, then. That's as fine
brandy as ever crossed the ocean. Day
day. Keep an eye on my traps, will you !?
and don't give up my seat to every coun-
try yokel who asks it."
The elegant young gentleman shook
himself and made his way forward to the
car especially provided for fumigation.
When he had gone the old man leaned
over the arm of his seat and addressed
Boiling.
Excuse me, sir, but didn't your friend
who has left say that his name was James
Poulder:'
"That's his name, sir" replied the young
man, "but he is not exactly friend OF
mine, though we live in the same place,
and know him very WE'LL"
"May inquire where he is from 20
Yes, sir; Careysburg."
"Son of Peter B. Poulder, the great
pork packer there, isn't he?"
Yes, sir"
His father should deal with him. 1t
would be quite in his line"
"Oh, papa - said a sweet, reproachful
voice, as those near who heard the coloquy
Uttered.
"It is fact, Lucy" rejoined the far
mer.
The old man, who was evidently intelli
gent, entered into a general conversation
with the Younger, and soon showed that
he was quite we'll informed. Boiling
was glad of conference SO entertaining,
especially when, as bis eyes were bent in
that direction, he saw the young lady
was an interested and, he hoped, apleased
listener. There was something very sweet
in the expression of her countenance--an
inexpressible impress of modesty and inno-
cence on her features. They chatted
away, and the elder, so dexterously that
the younger never perceived it, drew out
Of the other his position, prospects and
intentions.
Boiling was frank by nature, and the
questions of his interlocutor, who was as
ingenious as the other was ingenious,
were craftily put. The sharp granger
soon learned that Frank Boiling had been
engaged for sometime in the study OF
law; but that his father having met with
reverses, and having two younger daugh-
ters to educate, the young man deter
mined to make his burden less, and had
set out to support himself, abandoning
his law studies and taking situstion as
salesman at country store in Grifton, .
thriving town about Eve miles from the
main line. ~ al
tA"I get but beggarly pay. Of course"